The ranking takes into account factors including smoking rate, immunization coverage, air pollution, physical activity and dozens of others.

Hawaii was ranked No. 1. Vermont and Massachusetts were 2 and 3, and Utah was No. 5.

The ranking "is excellent news," Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a release. "While we still have more work to do to ensure that all people in Connecticut have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, the Department of Public Health’s focus on collaborative initiatives on health equity, strengthening public health at the local level, and reducing chronic disease are moving us in the right direction.”

“Connecticut’s ranking ... reflects the work of many stakeholders who are committed to a healthy Connecticut,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen.

Connecticut ranked high in the categories of annual dental visits and regular cholesterol checks (No. 2), and it ranked No. 5 for childhood immunization. But it ranked 37th in binge drinking and excessive drinking, and the report also highlighted disparities in health status by education.

The report also cited Connecticut's high rate of preventable hospitalizations.